The Schoharie River Center does not and shall not discriminate based on race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations, providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all.

Schoharie River Center

We offer an award winning youth development program as well as music and cultural arts programs

is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to educational and cultural programming about the Schoharie Creek and the communities which make up the Schoharie River Valley. Formed in 1999, it is a membership organization which sponsors and operates Environmental Study Team (EST) programs in Burtonsville, Schenectady and Conesville, NY. Located in Burtonsville, NY, The Schoharie River Center is also active in a variety of community, historical and cultural programs and activities.

Environmental Study Team

Environmental Study Team (EST) is an award winning youth development program!

EST is a program, started in 2002, which engages middle school and high school age youth to work with ecologists and aquatic biologists to study, monitor and improve the water quality of local streams, rivers and lakes.

In 2007 and in 2011 the program was awarded a national Environmental Excellence Award from the Conservation Matters program sponsored by Sea World – Busch Gardens –Fuji Films. EST students flew to San Diego, CA and Orlando, FL to receive their awards.

With programs located in Burtonsville, Schenectady and Conesville, NY, EST serves students from the Duanesburg, Gilboa-Conesville, Schalmont, Schenectady, Schoharie and Amsterdam school districts, as well as several area private schools. Meetings are generally every other Sunday from noon to 4pm and always includes hot and healthy, freshly prepared food at the end of the day.

EST members learn how to conduct chemical tests to determine water quality, identify macro invertebrates found in the waters and prepare written scientific reports of their findings. The methods that are taught for water testing and macro invertebrate identification are the same ones that the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation uses. In the process, students develop various skills including computer, photography, videography, writing and public speaking as there are various opportunities to make presentations to the public.

While learning about their environment, EST members go hiking, swimming, biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, canoeing, kayaking & sailing. Each spring, students can also help and learn how to make maple syrup in our maple syrup sugar shack.

Cultural Arts Programs

The Schoharie River Center is committed to educating the public of the cultural arts or folk arts of the region in an effort to help spread and preserve the native skills and crafts of the Schoharie Valley. In the past we have held workshops by local artisans,crafters and musicians including rag wool rug making, dry-laid stone wall building, stone carving, fly-tying, lacrosse stick making, drumming circles, a violin workshop and many more. Additionally, we host musical performances by local musicians. In the past we have hosted The Upper Catskill String Quartet, Sara Milanovich, Dyer Switch and more. We continue to look for opportunities to offer performances as well as hands-on workshops in a variety of crafts.

Also, be sure to check out Schoharie River Day, a fun filled day-long festival for the entire family featuring local artisans, crafters, food producers and musicians. Our third annual Schoharie River Day was July 20, 2013. Click here to find out more about it.

We are committed to presenting local artists, crafters and musicians to teach their skills and provide a venue to share their works.